Meal Prep – It’s not just for bodybuilders

I grew up eating Taco Bell, Wendys, BK and most of all McDonalds. Later on in life I was exposed to the deliciousness that is Chick-Fil-A, Little Ceasars, Chipotle, Panera and so many more. But these my friends, must become…NON NEGOTIABLE. They cannot exist in your reality anymore. Meaning, you simply must make a decision. Here’s what it is. Cook your own food. No more fast food. No Exceptions.

ALL and I repeat, ALL foods that you can get in a restaurant, fast food establishment, cafe or anything on-the go have preservatives, additives, chemicals, gluten, hydrogenated oils, etc. There is pretty much nothing that you can get from these places that has not originally come out of a can, box or plastic package. You know the saying “If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself”. There is no better way to make sure your food is healthy, organic, non-toxic and prepared in a clean environment, than to just make it yourself.

I know, I know… you just don’t have time. Well, this is the part where you have to put your big boy pants on. You have to plan ahead. (Gasp!) Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it.

It’s not what you think. Most people hear the words “Meal Prep” and they imagine 7 containers lined up on a kitchen counter filled with 7 individual meals for the whole week. This is WRONG! This is why people get discouraged because they think, who the heck has time to cook 7 meals in advance? I sure don’t! When I prepare meals for my husband and I to eat, I do it two days at a time. When I cook dinner, I make enough for that night’s meal and for lunch the next day. Simple right? Here’s some tips to help keep that habit going.

Tip Number 1: Buy a Lunchbox and take it with you wherever you go. This way you always have something to eat and have no excuse to eat fast food or whatever is offered to you.

Tip Number 2: When you cook at home, don’t just cook enough for dinner. Cook enough for dinner and lunch the next day. This is called meal prep, and it’s not just for bodybuilders. It’s for people who don’t want to eat:

Plastic Leached Food

Nitrates

Preservatives

GMO’s

Microwaved Food Void of all Nutrients

Any of the unidentifiable crap you will get from a fast food restaurant

Tip Number 3: Start to say no. Pass when friends or co-workers invite you to ” Go half on a Pizza” or “Split lunch at Chipolte” (Plus you already brought your food from home in your lunchbox remember?)

Tip Number 4: Don’t let time get away from you. You must plan ahead. Don’t let it get so late that you have to run through a drive through or pickup a pizza because it something o’ clock at night and your starving and the kids are hungry. Those situations can easily be avoided by planning your meals ahead of time. Even if it’s only one day in advance.

There are so many variables on the road to getting healthy. The quality of your food is so important and we will get into what to eat later. We’ll also explore how to store your food properly. But just start by saying no to fast food/sit down restaurants and just prep your own food. If you can start with this, you’ve won half the battle.